News Release from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.



ISDA________________________________________________________________________

*NEWS RELEASE
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
?

*Planting season is here; remain alert to large farm equipment on Indiana roads*

?

*INDIANA (April 21, 2022)* ? Planting season is quickly approaching for Indiana?s 94,000 farmers. With the warm weather and sunshine, Hoosier motorists will also see more large slow-moving farm equipment traveling Indiana?s rural roads and highways. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture [ [link removed] ], Indiana Department of Homeland Security [ [link removed] ], Indiana Department of Transportation [ [link removed] ], Indiana State Police [ [link removed] ] and Hoosier Ag Today [ [link removed] ] want to encourage motorists to slow down, be alert and be patient on rural roadways this spring.

?Our farmers have an enormous job to do, feeding us and the rest of the world,? said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch [ [link removed] ], Secretary of Agriculture. ?And with that job comes a tremendous responsibility; let?s help our farmers out where we can. When you see large farm equipment traveling our Hoosier roadways slow down and give them space so everyone can get where they are going safely.?

In Indiana, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [ [link removed] ], in 2020 three vehicles were involved in crashes with farm equipment, which resulted in two deaths.

?During the spring and fall seasons Indiana sees a drastic increase of large farm equipment on our rural roads and highways,? said Doug Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent [ [link removed] ]. ?In our strong agricultural state, it is critical that Hoosier motorists know the steps to take when approaching farm equipment on the roadways to ensure we all make it home safely to our families.?

While the term ?farm equipment? encompasses a wide range of vehicles, the most common types motorists will encounter during planting season include sprayers, tractors pulling planters or tillage equipment, and large trucks hauling agricultural products. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph.

The following list includes several safety tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:


* Farmers will pull over when they are able to let motorists pass, but it may take time for them to get to a safe place to do so.
* Be patient. Farm equipment is wide, sometimes taking up most of the road.
* Be careful when passing. Do not pass in a designated ?No Passing Zone? or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure or tunnel.
* Do not try to pass slow-moving farm equipment on the left without ensuring that the farmer driving is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over to allow a pass when the farmer is actually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and the farmer.
* Avoid tailgating, as some farm equipment might have to make sudden stops along the road.
* Allow plenty of time to get to a destination, be aware of alternate routes and avoid distractions.

?Moving farm equipment on the roadways is one of the most dangerous parts of my job. It takes time to find a safe space for me to pull over and allow other motorists to pass safely. Please be considerate when you drive behind farm equipment, drivers and I have the same goal in mind each time we take a trip on Hoosier roads- to get our work done and make it home safely to our loved ones,? said Brent Bible, Tippecanoe Co. farmer.

Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler [ [link removed] ] wants to remind motorists farmers work hard to ensure they are being as safe as possible.

?Hoosier farmers are trying to get to their fields safely and quickly, just like our Hoosier motorists are trying to get to work safely and quickly,? said Kettler. ?I want to encourage motorists to be aware during this spring season and know that encountering farm equipment is likely and to slow down when approaching.?

For a list of safety tips, click?*here* [ [link removed] ]?or visit isda.in.gov. The following organizations will be working together to share this important safety message during planting season:?Hoosier Ag Today [ [link removed] ],?Indiana Department of Homeland Security [ [link removed] ],?Indiana Department of Transportation [ [link removed] ]?and?Indiana State Police [ [link removed] ].

Click here [ [link removed] ]?for a public service announcement created by Hoosier Ag Today. Listen to the PSA by tuning into Hoosier Ag Today radio stations. To find a local broadcasting station, click?*here* [ [link removed] ].

To download Lt. Gov. Crouch's audio click here [ [link removed] ].?

To download Bruce Kettler's audio click here [ [link removed] ].?

To download Brent Bible's audio click here [ [link removed] ].?

###

Planting Season

Pictured above is a farmer driving a tractor and planter on an Indiana roadway.?

*ABOUT ISDA
*"The?Indiana State Department of Agriculture [ [link removed] ]?(ISDA) was established as a separate state agency by the Legislature in 2005. Administratively, ISDA reports to?Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch [ [link removed] ], who also serves as Indiana?s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state."

________________________________________________________________________




Facebook [ [link removed] ]Twitter [ [link removed] ]Instagram [ [link removed] ]


*Media Contact:?
*Regan Herr
Phone: 317.552.9281
Email: [email protected]




ISDA




SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]??|??Delete Profile [ [link removed] ]??|??Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: State of Indiana ? 402 Washington Street? ? Indianapolis, IN ?46204?? 800.457.8283 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]